The Project Fact Sheets

RED CHRIS COPPER-GOLD EXPANSION

Written by Canadian Indigenous Investment Forum | Dec 4, 2025, 2:38:00 PM

 

Block Cave Transition Project, British Columbia 

Project Overview 

The Red Chris copper-gold mine in BC's Golden Triangle is undergoing a major expansion, transitioning from open-pit operations to advanced block-cave underground mining. The expansion is expected to extend the mine's life into the mid-2040s, substantially increase production and target a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 70% once expanded operations reach full capacity. 

Location and Jurisdiction

Northwestern British Columbia, approximately 80 km south of Dease Lake and 130 km from the BC-Alaska border.  

  • Province: British Columbia
  • Region: Golden Triangle mining district
  • Traditional territory: Tahltan Nation 

Indigenous Partners Tahltan Nation 

  • Tahltan Nation (represented by the Tahltan Central Government)
  • Iskut Band
  • Tahltan Band  

Key Statistics 

  • Operator: Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM; ASX: NEM; PNGX: NEM)
  • Current permitted capacity: up to 11 million tonnes of ore processed annually, with approved expansion capacity of up to 15 million tonnes per year, extending operations into the mid-2040s
  • Ownership: 70% Newmont, 30% Imperial Metals Corporation (joint venture; Newmont became operator following its acquisition of Newcrest in November 2023)
  • Capital requirement: approximately CAD $2.6 billion for block-cave development (per the 2021 Newcrest prefeasibility study; Newmont's definitive feasibility study, expected in the second half of 2026, may update this figure)
  • Mineral endowment: an estimated 20 million ounces of gold and 13 billion pounds of copper across measured, indicated and inferred resources
  • Project timeline: block-cave operations targeted to commence in the late 2020s, contingent on a final investment decision expected in the second half of 2026
  • Expected start: construction targeted for 2027; production targeted for 2030 (both contingent on final investment decision)  

Indigenous Partnership Model 

Historic Governance Framework
In June 2022, the Tahltan Central Government and the Province of British Columbia signed the first consent-based decision-making agreement under BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), covering the Eskay Creek mine revitalisation project. A second Section 7 agreement followed in November 2023, establishing the consent framework for the Red Chris mine. These built on a foundation laid by the 2017 Tahltan-Province government-to-government Red Chris Mine Management Agreement. 


The Tahltan Central Government gave its consent to the Red Chris block-cave expansion on 22 May 2026. Provincial regulatory approvals, including an amended Environmental Assessment Certificate and an amended Mines Act permit, were granted on 19 June 2026 through a collaborative assessment process between the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the Tahltan Nation. 


Co-Management Structure

An Impact Benefit and Co-Management Agreement (IBCA) governs the operational relationship, ensuring Tahltan expertise, perspectives and values guide day-to-day management and strategic decision-making at the mine. Joint decision-making applies to substantial changes in mining operations. 

Economic Benefits for the Tahltan Nation
  • Direct employment: approximately 220 Tahltan Nation members employed at the mine
  • Business revenue: approximately CAD $100 million annually generated through the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC)
  • Annual royalties: paid to the Tahltan Heritage Trust
  • Shared tax revenue: a portion of mineral tax revenue from the Province shared directly with the Tahltan Nation 
May 2025 Community Investment

On 26 May 2025, marking the mine's tenth anniversary, Newmont announced a CAD $8 million contribution to the communities of Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake and Iskut. The funds are directed towards recreation facilities, greenhouses, community spaces and housing improvement planning. 


Sustainability & ESG Credentials Indigenous Leadership Model: 

Indigenous Leadership Model

The Red Chris project operates under a legally binding DRIPA Section 7 consent agreement, embedding free, prior and informed consent into major regulatory decisions. The Tahltan Nation's integration into environmental monitoring, management and operational oversight is widely cited as a leading example of reconciliatory resource development in Canada. 


While the overall framework functions at a high level, the September 2025 federal and provincial fast-track designations created procedural tensions. The Tahltan Nation raised objections to not being consulted on the decision to add Red Chris to the fast-track list, despite the existing consent agreement. The project ultimately secured joint, streamlined Tahltan-BC regulatory approval in June 2026. 

Environmental Performance 
  • Targeting more than 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when expanded operations reach full capacity
  • Block-cave mining is a more efficient extraction method than conventional open-pit operations
  • Environmental assessment conducted under the DRIPA framework with full Tahltan participation 

Government & Regulatory Support 

Provincial Fast-Track Designation

In September 2025, Red Chris was named among the first projects for fast-tracked approval under Canada's Major Projects Office. Priority status reflects the strategic importance of the mine's copper output for critical minerals supply and the broader energy transition. Streamlined regulatory coordination across federal and provincial boundaries has been a feature of the approvals process. The Tahltan Nation's objection to the fast-track listing decision, noted above, is part of the record. 

BC Policy Framework

The provincial government has framed the Red Chris consent model as a template for future resource projects, demonstrating alignment between the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the advancement of major mining development.  


TNDC Business Development 

The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation has established an extensive roster of commercial partnerships operating across Tahltan Territory, including at Red Chris. Among these: 

  • Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions: a distribution agreement effective February 2022, establishing TNDC as a reseller of Sandvik equipment, parts, tools and digital solutions across northwestern BC and Yukon
  • Central Mountain Air: exclusive charter flights contract, with the partnership commencing in September 2021, a contract formalised with the mine operator in March 2022 to fly crews into the region and a five-year contract extension finalised in June 2023
  • R.C. Crane and Construction: hoisting and rigging services partnership (March 2022)  

TNDC's wider partner roster at Red Chris includes Barminco, Redpath Raiseboring, Procon, Orica Canada, Sodexo, International SOS and others, as detailed in TNDC's published reporting. 


Project Economics

Existing Operations 

The Red Chris mine has been producing copper concentrate since early 2015, when commissioning of the mill began in February of that year. Commercial production was reached by July 2015. The original mine plan projected a life of approximately 28 years. In August 2019, Newcrest Mining acquired a 70% interest from Imperial Metals, forming a joint venture. Newmont became operator following its acquisition of Newcrest in November 2023. Imperial Metals continues to hold the remaining 30% interest. 

Block-Cave Expansion 
  • Front-end capital investment: approximately CAD $2.6 billion (per the 2021 prefeasibility study)
  • Lower ongoing capital intensity once the block cave is established
  • Mine life extended into the mid-2040s, well beyond the current 2038 open-pit approval horizon
  • Enables extraction of deeper ore bodies previously uneconomical under open-pit methods 

Investment Proposition for UK/European Investors 

Strategic Advantages
  • Backed by Newmont, the world's leading gold producer, with proven block-cave capability from its Cadia Valley operation in New South Wales, Australia
  • Located in one of the world's premier mining districts, with a substantial mineral endowment across measured, indicated and inferred resources
  • More than 10 years of operating history and established site infrastructure
  • Consent-based Indigenous partnership provides a high degree of regulatory certainty
  • Access to clean BC hydroelectricity 
Critical Minerals Supply
  • At full capacity, the block-cave expansion is projected to increase Canada's annual copper production by more than 15%
  • Addresses structural shortfalls in global copper supply, with Canada's output constrained by ageing mines and limited large-scale new project advancement
  • Copper is a critical mineral for the energy transition, with demand projected to double by 2050, driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and grid expansion   
ESG Credentials 
  • The DRIPA consent agreement is increasingly referenced as a template for resource project development across Canada
  • The co-management model reduces social licence risk by embedding Indigenous decision-making authority into the regulatory process
  • Targeting a reduction in emissions of more than 70% once expanded operations reach full capacity, despite increased production  

Recent Developments July 2025 Incident & Response: 

July 2025 Incident and Response 

On 22 July 2025, two fall-of-ground incidents occurred in the access way to the underground work area of a non-producing section of the mine, trapping three Hy-Tech Drilling contractors more than 500 metres beyond the affected zone. The workers relocated to a MineARC MineSAFE refuge chamber. A second collapse cut off communications. All three were rescued after more than 60 hours underground. Newmont implemented a full operations stand-down and subsequently conducted a third-party and internal review of the incident. 

Tenth Anniversary Milestone (May 2025) 

On 26 May 2025, Newmont announced a CAD $8 million community contribution to Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake and Iskut, marking the mine's tenth anniversary. Tom Palmer, then Newmont CEO, stated: "Newmont acquired the Red Chris Mine in November 2023, and we know that our projects and operations can only succeed when the communities that host them are also thriving." Palmer stepped down as CEO on 31 December 2025. Natascha Viljoen succeeded him as President and CEO on 1 January 2026. 


CAD $500 Million Federal Investment (July 2026) 

The Government of Canada confirmed CAD $500 million in financial support for the Red Chris block-cave expansion, as part of a broader programme to accelerate major mining projects. 


Provincial Regulatory Approvals (June 2026) 

The Province of British Columbia granted key regulatory approvals on 19 June 2026, including an amended Environmental Assessment Certificate and an amended Mines Act permit. Ore processing capacity was approved to increase from 11 million to up to 15 million tonnes per year. The project is expected to create more than 1,800 construction jobs and sustain approximately 1,500 peak-season operational roles. 



Key Contacts 

  • Operator: Newmont Corporation (70%), www.newmont.com
  • Joint venture partner: Imperial Metals Corporation (30%), www.imperialmetals.com
  • Tahltan Central Government: www.tahltan.org
  • Regional government: BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals (mining regulation); BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions (energy policy) 

Investment Considerations 

Opportunities
  • Tier 1 operator with global mining expertise, including proven block-cave capability from Cadia Valley
  • Proven deposit with over 10 years of operating history and a substantial mineral endowment
  • Consent-based Indigenous partnership reduces major permitting risk
  • Federal and provincial government backing, including CAD $500 million in federal financial support and provincial fast-track approval
  • Block-cave technology increases efficiency and extends mine life into the mid-2040s
  • Strategic copper supply in a market projected to see demand double by 2050   
Risk Factors: 
  • Large upfront capital requirement (approximately CAD $2.6 billion per the 2021 prefeasibility study; updated figures expected from the definitive feasibility study)
  • Underground mining transition technical complexity, as demonstrated by the July 2025 fall-of-ground incident
  • Remote location infrastructure dependencies
  • Commodity price volatility
  • Final investment decision not yet taken; regulatory approvals are in place but the project has not yet been formally committed to construction 
     

Investment Timeline 

  • June 2026: provincial regulatory approvals granted (amended Environmental Assessment Certificate and Mines Act permit)
  • Second half of 2026: definitive feasibility study completion and final investment decision expected
  • 2027: construction commencement targeted (contingent on final investment decision)
  • Late 2020s: block-cave operations begin
  • 2030s: full production from expanded operations
  • Mid-2040s: extended mine life from block-cave reserves 
     

Investor Resources 

  • Newmont Red Chris project page (operations.newmont.com)
  • Imperial Metals Red Chris overview (imperialmetals.com)
  • Tahltan Central Government Red Chris Block Cave Information Package (tahltan.org)
  • BC Declaration Act Consent Decision-Making Agreement (November 2023)
  • Newmont 2024 Sustainability Report
  • Canada Major Projects Office, Red Chris Mine Expansion (canada.ca) 

Sources 

 
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